In Pictures: Ramadan in Kashmir

As Ramadan is observed with religious fervor, preparations to mark last phase have begun in India-administered Kashmir.

Religious chants 'Afsoos Aze Gowham Judaa, Aiy Mahi Ramzaan Alvida' - My heart is full of sorrow, Oh! The month of Ramadan, today we part! - are common in the mosques and shrines of India-administered Kashmir during the last phase of Ramadan.

A region that has a majority Muslim population, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar is observed with religious zest and fervour throughout.

"The holy Quran was sent to this world during these last days of Ramadan. Jumat ul-Vida, the last Friday of Ramadan comes in the last ten days, which is the best day of the year," said Syed Rehman Shamas, an Islamic scholar.

In this month, markets in Kashmir are decked out in their festive avatar. Dates imported from different parts of the world sell like hot cakes.

An old saying is that Kashmiris eat more in the holy month of Ramadan than during the rest of the year, so consumption of large quantities of chicken, mutton and fruits in households are natural during this month.

Special sweet dishes like Phirni and Halwa made of ghee (clarified butter) are prepared for breaking the day-long fast.

But, in this disputed Himalayan region, which has been wracked by decades-old conflict, families that have suffered and lost their family members celebrate differently.

The conflict has left the breadwinners of many families dead or missing. Most of these families cannot even afford a basic meal for Iftaar or Sehri (meal eaten before fasting).

A large number of widows and half-widows (wives of the disappeared) depend on alms and the generosity of people during the month which is also known as 'Sharul Mawasaat' - the month of mutual feeling and compassion, says Shamas.

Special prayers are also held during this month seeking the end of conflict and the return of peace to the region.

A Kashmiri Muslim woman at the entrance of the shrine of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani - a Sufi saint, also known as Shah-e-Hamadan or King of Hamadan, Iran - who travelled to Kashmir from Iran in 1372 to spread Islam in the region.

Two elderly Kashmiri Muslim men recite the Quran in a local mosque in Kashmir. A scene like this is common in mosques, shrines and homes in the month of Ramadan.

A girl plays while elders pray at the lawns of Hazratbal shrine in the summer capital, Srinagar. Children celebrate Ramadan in their own way; they pray with elders and relish the delicacies.

Women offer night time prayers at a local mosque.

The month of Ramadan includes many important commemorations, most significant of which is the Laylat ul-Qadr - the night of power. Muslims believe the first verse of the Quran was revealed on this night.

Men relaxing after the night prayers at Khanqah-e-Moula shrine in Srinagar, the summer capital of India-administered Kashmir.

Women pray at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar. Jamia Masjid, Kashmir(***)s Grand Mosque, was built by Sultan Sikander in 1400 AD, and remains one of the oldest mosques in Kashmir.

People read at least one chapter of the Quran every day, so that by the end of Ramadan all the 30 chapters are completed.

Pir Vaer, Garden of Sufis, where Sufis and Islamic scholars were instrumental in the spread of Islam.

A shopkeeper sells different types of dates and other food items used in Iftaar (breaking of the fast).

Distribution of milk, dates and juice on roadsides is a common sight at the time of Iftaar in Kashmir.

Children waiting in a queue for Iftaar meals at Rahat Manzil, an orphanage in Srinagar. Kashmir has witnessed a rise in the number of conflict-related orphans.

A family gathers for Iftaar in Srinagar. Preparing Ramadan delicacies is an art and takes women a long time to prepare.

Naseema Akhtar, 30 and her daughter Shazia Anwar, 13 at their one-room house in the old city of Srinagar await the call to break fast. Naseema(***)s husband, Syed Anwar, is among some 8,000 people who have disappeared in the restive region. The family manages to survive on charity and donations.

Amir Kabir, 22, lost his eyesight to pellets fired by Indian police during the 2010 civil unrest. Kabir says he misses the night prayers of Ramadan and the food is tasteless without eyesight.

A Kashmiri Muslim woman at the entrance of the shrine of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani - a Sufi saint, also known as Shah-e-Hamadan or King of Hamadan, Iran - who travelled to Kashmir from Iran in 1372 to spread Islam in the region.

Two elderly Kashmiri Muslim men recite the Quran in a local mosque in Kashmir. A scene like this is common in mosques, shrines and homes in the month of Ramadan.

A girl plays while elders pray at the lawns of Hazratbal shrine in the summer capital, Srinagar. Children celebrate Ramadan in their own way; they pray with elders and relish the delicacies.

Women offer night time prayers at a local mosque.

The month of Ramadan includes many important commemorations, most significant of which is the Laylat ul-Qadr - the night of power. Muslims believe the first verse of the Quran was revealed on this night.

Men relaxing after the night prayers at Khanqah-e-Moula shrine in Srinagar, the summer capital of India-administered Kashmir.

Women pray at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar. Jamia Masjid, Kashmir(***)s Grand Mosque, was built by Sultan Sikander in 1400 AD, and remains one of the oldest mosques in Kashmir.

People read at least one chapter of the Quran every day, so that by the end of Ramadan all the 30 chapters are completed.

Pir Vaer, Garden of Sufis, where Sufis and Islamic scholars were instrumental in the spread of Islam.

A shopkeeper sells different types of dates and other food items used in Iftaar (breaking of the fast).

Distribution of milk, dates and juice on roadsides is a common sight at the time of Iftaar in Kashmir.

Children waiting in a queue for Iftaar meals at Rahat Manzil, an orphanage in Srinagar. Kashmir has witnessed a rise in the number of conflict-related orphans.

A family gathers for Iftaar in Srinagar. Preparing Ramadan delicacies is an art and takes women a long time to prepare.

Naseema Akhtar, 30 and her daughter Shazia Anwar, 13 at their one-room house in the old city of Srinagar await the call to break fast. Naseema(***)s husband, Syed Anwar, is among some 8,000 people who have disappeared in the restive region. The family manages to survive on charity and donations.

Amir Kabir, 22, lost his eyesight to pellets fired by Indian police during the 2010 civil unrest. Kabir says he misses the night prayers of Ramadan and the food is tasteless without eyesight.

A Kashmiri Muslim woman at the entrance of the shrine of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani - a Sufi saint, also known as Shah-e-Hamadan or King of Hamadan, Iran - who travelled to Kashmir from Iran in 1372 to spread Islam in the region.

Two elderly Kashmiri Muslim men recite the Quran in a local mosque in Kashmir. A scene like this is common in mosques, shrines and homes in the month of Ramadan.

A girl plays while elders pray at the lawns of Hazratbal shrine in the summer capital, Srinagar. Children celebrate Ramadan in their own way; they pray with elders and relish the delicacies.

Women offer night time prayers at a local mosque.

The month of Ramadan includes many important commemorations, most significant of which is the Laylat ul-Qadr - the night of power. Muslims believe the first verse of the Quran was revealed on this night.

Men relaxing after the night prayers at Khanqah-e-Moula shrine in Srinagar, the summer capital of India-administered Kashmir.

Women pray at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar. Jamia Masjid, Kashmir(***)s Grand Mosque, was built by Sultan Sikander in 1400 AD, and remains one of the oldest mosques in Kashmir.

People read at least one chapter of the Quran every day, so that by the end of Ramadan all the 30 chapters are completed.

Pir Vaer, Garden of Sufis, where Sufis and Islamic scholars were instrumental in the spread of Islam.

A shopkeeper sells different types of dates and other food items used in Iftaar (breaking of the fast).

Distribution of milk, dates and juice on roadsides is a common sight at the time of Iftaar in Kashmir.

Children waiting in a queue for Iftaar meals at Rahat Manzil, an orphanage in Srinagar. Kashmir has witnessed a rise in the number of conflict-related orphans.

A family gathers for Iftaar in Srinagar. Preparing Ramadan delicacies is an art and takes women a long time to prepare.

Naseema Akhtar, 30 and her daughter Shazia Anwar, 13 at their one-room house in the old city of Srinagar await the call to break fast. Naseema(***)s husband, Syed Anwar, is among some 8,000 people who have disappeared in the restive region. The family manages to survive on charity and donations.

Amir Kabir, 22, lost his eyesight to pellets fired by Indian police during the 2010 civil unrest. Kabir says he misses the night prayers of Ramadan and the food is tasteless without eyesight.

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